Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Kick Off 2026 European Tour with Touching Cover of The Pogues’ ‘Rainy Night In Soho’

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds launch their summer 2026 European tour in Dublin, delivering a powerful set including a heartfelt cover of The Pogues’ classic.

There’s something special about witnessing legends doing what they do best—especially when they honor their peers with a touching nod. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds kicked off their 2026 European tour in the iconic Malahide Castle, Dublin, with a 24-song set that balanced old favorites, rare gems, and a beautifully fitting cover of The Pogues’ ‘A Rainy Night In Soho’.

A Night to Remember at Malahide Castle

The opening night, held on June 10, 2026, marked the start of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds' much-anticipated return to UK and European stages after their 2024 run. As a longtime fan, I can say there’s nothing quite like catching the band live, especially when they dig into their back catalog and pull out surprises. This night was no exception.

Starting strong, the band thundered through “Get Ready For Love,” “From Her To Eternity,” and “Wild God,” instantly wrapping the crowd in that unmistakable Cave atmosphere—dark, poetic, and wildly magnetic. But what truly sent ripples of excitement through the crowd was the debut live performance of “Train Long-Suffering” since 1989. Imagine that—a song lying dormant for nearly four decades, suddenly brought back to life on an Irish summer evening.

Nick Cave alongside Shane McGowan, frontman of The Pogues.

Unearthing Rare Gems and Deep Cuts

The band didn’t just stick to the usual hits. Fans were treated to “Hiding All Away / White Elephant,” played live for the first time since 2013, and “Stranger Than Kindness,” which hadn’t been heard live since 2015. These rarities make you appreciate the depth of Nick Cave’s catalog—there’s always something new to discover, even decades into his career.

Another poignant moment came when Cave covered The Pogues’ “A Rainy Night In Soho” for the first time with The Bad Seeds since 1997. The choice was deeply meaningful, not only because the gig was in Dublin—the hometown of the late Shane McGowan, the legendary Pogues frontman who passed away in 2023—but because Cave and McGowan shared a longtime friendship and collaborated on multiple memorable occasions.

“Shane McGowan was the greatest songwriter of his generation,” Nick Cave once said, capturing the essence of their bond.

Indeed, the two famously collaborated on the 1992 cover of “What A Wonderful World.” Cave even performed “A Rainy Night In Soho” at McGowan’s funeral, making its appearance at this Dublin show feel like a heartfelt tribute to a dear friend and musical hero.

Fan-Favorite Performances and Unique Moments

The setlist also featured stalwarts like “Red Right Hand” and “Into My Arms.” During the haunting “Carnage,” a song co-written with Warren Ellis, Cave surprised the crowd by swapping the lyric “Listening to Sinead O’Connor” with “Reading Flannery O’Connor,” blending literary and musical references with his trademark poetic flair.

Here’s a glimpse of some fan footage capturing the magic of the night:

Full Setlist: A Treasure Trove of Cave Classics and Rarities

For those who love to dive deep into the details, here’s the entire setlist from that unforgettable night:

• Get Ready for Love
• From Her to Eternity
• Wild God
• O Children
• Train Long-Suffering (First time since 1989)
• City of Refuge
• Nobody’s Baby Now (First time since 2017)
• Tupelo
• Carnage (Nick Cave & Warren Ellis cover) (with lyric tweak: “Reading Flannery O’Connor”)
• Joy
• Rings of Saturn
• Bright Horses
• Henry Lee
• The Mercy Seat
• Red Right Hand
• Into My Arms
• Hiding All Away / White Elephant (First time since 2013)
• Hollywood
• Stranger Than Kindness (First time since 2015)
• Papa Won’t Leave You, Henry
• Jubilee Street
• The Weeping Song
• Wide Lovely Eyes
• A Rainy Night in Soho (The Pogues cover) (First time by The Bad Seeds since 1997)

The Road Ahead: Tour Dates Across Europe

Following this memorable Irish kickoff, the tour roars on with stops across Germany, Denmark, Austria, Belgium, Italy, and several more European hotspots. Highlights include festival appearances at NOS Alive in Portugal and Rock En Seine in France, as well as a much-anticipated UK show at Preston Park on July 31.

Here’s a quick rundown of key dates:

June

• 16 — Open Air an der Emslandarena, Germany
• 18 — Heartland Festival, Denmark
• 20 — Metronome Prague, Czech Republic
• 21 — Burg Clam, Austria
• 24 — Release Athens Festival, Greece
• 26 — La Prima Estate, Italy
• 28 — Live is Live, Belgium
• 30 — Waldbühne, Berlin, Germany

July

• 6 — Jazz Open, Germany
• 9 — NOS Alive Festival, Portugal
• 14 — Festival de Nîmes, France
• 15 — La Belle Soirée de Vienne, France
• 17 — Les Vieilles Charrues, France
• 31 — Preston Park, UK

August

• 2 — Filmnächte am Elbufer, Germany
• 5 — Arena Pula, Croatia
• 7 — Donji grad Kalemegdan Fortress, Serbia
• 9 — Summer Well Festival, Romania
• 13 — Øyafestivalen, Norway
• 18 — Kalnai Park, Lithuania
• 21 — Cabaret Vert, France
• 23 — Königsplatz, Germany
• 25 — Kunst!Rasen, Germany
• 28 — Rock En Seine, France

Looking Back and Forward: The ‘Wild God’ Era and New Hints

This 2026 tour follows a homecoming Australian tour supporting their 2024 album, Wild God, which was met with critical acclaim. The album unveils a more liberated, joyous side of Cave, while still steeped in his signature gothic ambiance. I remember the thrill of hearing tracks like “Frogs,” where Cave’s lyrics burst with vivid imagery and an unexpected lightness that surprised even longtime fans.

Nick Cave recently shared that The Bad Seeds have been “messing around” in the studio, possibly shaping the next chapter beyond Wild God. The prospect of new material from this endlessly creative group is truly exciting.

Wrapping Up: An Epic Start to a Summer Tour

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ Dublin show was a masterclass in blending nostalgia with fresh energy. From the rare tracks resurrected after decades to the touching tribute to Shane McGowan, it was a night that echoed through the ages.

What’s your favorite Nick Cave song to hear live? And how did you feel about the cover of “A Rainy Night In Soho”? Share your thoughts below!

FAQ

• What was special about the Dublin show for Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds?
  It was their 2026 European tour kickoff and featured rare songs and a tribute cover to The Pogues’ Shane McGowan.
• When was ‘Train Long-Suffering’ last played live before this tour?
  The song hadn’t been performed live since 1989, making its Dublin appearance a rare treat.
• Why is the cover of ‘A Rainy Night In Soho’ significant?
  It honors Shane McGowan, The Pogues’ frontman and a close friend of Nick Cave, who passed away in 2023.
• What lyric change did Nick Cave make during ‘Carnage’?
  He swapped “Listening to Sinead O’Connor” with “Reading Flannery O’Connor” for a poetic twist.
• Where can I see Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds live next?
  Their tour continues across Europe through August, including festivals and a UK show at Preston Park on July 31.

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